The increasing problem of identity fraud has been a popular topic for many years. A taskforce has been set up to help people to ACT; partners include the Action Fraud, Cifas, Equifax, Symantec Norton, Get Safe Online and Fellowes.

Identity fraud could affect any one of us – from a personal and a business perspective. Finding out that someone has stolen your identity is not just an inconvenience, it can be devastating – so ‘Don’t Let it Be You!’

WHAT IS ID FRAUD

Your identity and personal information are invaluable. Identity fraud occurs to an individual when their personal information is used by someone else without their knowledge to obtain credit, goods or other services fraudulently.

It is important that you understand how fraudsters can get their hands on your information so you can take steps to protect yourself and your family.

This website can help you protect yourself.

ISSUES AFFECTING CONSUMERS

Finding out you are a victim of personal identity fraud can be quite a shock. And while there’s no doubt that the risks for children and teenagers of cybercrime are well known around the issue, what seems less of a focus for families is the risk of ID fraud to the whole family – older generations – such as parents and grandparents and particularly 18-24 year olds.

Every family is at risk of identity fraud and it’s important to take action to protect your wider family from attack, be it your partner, spouse, children and parents and grandparents too.

ISSUES AFFECTING BUSINESSES

Corporate identity fraud occurs ‘when a false corporate identity or another company’s identity details are used to support unlawful activity.’ This can be anything from stealing a corporate logo to setting up a false website.

In such cases there can be substantial damage, not just to partners who deal with the company, but to the company’s most valuable asset – its brand. As Companies House notes ‘you’ll only need to lose your company once!’

See our support and prevention section on how to protect your business.